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Syrian president says army 'has balance of power' Syrian president says army 'has balance of power'
(34 minutes later)
The Syrian army has scored "major victories" against rebels and now holds "the balance of power" in the conflict, President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly told a Lebanese TV station.The Syrian army has scored "major victories" against rebels and now holds "the balance of power" in the conflict, President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly told a Lebanese TV station.
Mr Assad is also quoted as saying Syria has received the first shipment of an advanced Russian air defence system.Mr Assad is also quoted as saying Syria has received the first shipment of an advanced Russian air defence system.
Russia vowed to go ahead with sending S-300 missiles earlier this week.Russia vowed to go ahead with sending S-300 missiles earlier this week.
The interview with Hezbollah-linked Al Manar TV is set to be broadcast later on Thursday.The interview with Hezbollah-linked Al Manar TV is set to be broadcast later on Thursday.
In excerpts from the interview published by Lebanon's pro-Syrian Al Akhbar newspaper, Mr Assad is quoted as saying: "The Syrian army has scored major victories against armed rebels on the ground and the balance of power is now with the Syrian army."In excerpts from the interview published by Lebanon's pro-Syrian Al Akhbar newspaper, Mr Assad is quoted as saying: "The Syrian army has scored major victories against armed rebels on the ground and the balance of power is now with the Syrian army."
Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem made similar comments on Wednesday, telling Lebanese media: "Our armed forces have regained the momentum.''Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem made similar comments on Wednesday, telling Lebanese media: "Our armed forces have regained the momentum.''
Mr Assad also admits in the interview with Al Manar that Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement are co-operating, or "on the same axis".Mr Assad also admits in the interview with Al Manar that Syria and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement are co-operating, or "on the same axis".
"Hezbollah fighters are deployed along the Lebanese-Syrian borders but the operations are conducted by the Syrian army until the "terrorist" groups are crushed", he is quoted as saying."Hezbollah fighters are deployed along the Lebanese-Syrian borders but the operations are conducted by the Syrian army until the "terrorist" groups are crushed", he is quoted as saying.
Mr Assad condemns backing for the rebels from Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, claiming there are now 100,000 foreign fighters on Syrian soil.Mr Assad condemns backing for the rebels from Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, claiming there are now 100,000 foreign fighters on Syrian soil.
"Invading""Invading"
Earlier, a rebel leader accused Hezbollah of "invading" Syria.Earlier, a rebel leader accused Hezbollah of "invading" Syria.
Gen Selim Idriss, the military chief of the main umbrella group of Syrian rebels, the Free Syrian Army, claimed that more than 7,000 fighters of the Lebanese Shia movement were taking part in attacks on the rebel-held town of Qusair.Gen Selim Idriss, the military chief of the main umbrella group of Syrian rebels, the Free Syrian Army, claimed that more than 7,000 fighters of the Lebanese Shia movement were taking part in attacks on the rebel-held town of Qusair.
He made an emotional appeal to Western powers on the BBC World Service's Newshour programme, saying: "We are dying. Please come and help us."He made an emotional appeal to Western powers on the BBC World Service's Newshour programme, saying: "We are dying. Please come and help us."
More than 50,000 residents were trapped in the town and a "massacre" would occur if it fell, he added.More than 50,000 residents were trapped in the town and a "massacre" would occur if it fell, he added.
Regime forces, backed by Hezbollah fighters, are reported to have retaken from rebels a disused military airfield north of Qusair, the BBC's Jim Muir reports from Beirut. Regime forces, backed by Hezbollah fighters, are reported to have retaken from rebels a disused military airfield north of Qusair.
Opposition groups and humanitarian organisations say conditions for the civilians and the wounded in Qusair are dire, with doctors saying oxygen and other medical supplies have run out.Opposition groups and humanitarian organisations say conditions for the civilians and the wounded in Qusair are dire, with doctors saying oxygen and other medical supplies have run out.
Syrian government officials say that a corridor had been established to allow civilians to escape and fighters who put down their arms are free to leave too. Syrian government officials say that a corridor has been established to allow civilians to escape, and fighters who put down their arms are free to leave too.
Fears of further tensionFears of further tension
"Syria has received the first shipment of Russian anti-aircraft S-300 rockets," Mr Assad is reported as saying in the TV interview."Syria has received the first shipment of Russian anti-aircraft S-300 rockets," Mr Assad is reported as saying in the TV interview.
"The rest of the shipment will arrive soon.""The rest of the shipment will arrive soon."
The S300 is a highly capable surface-to-air missile system that, as well as targeting aircraft, also has the capacity to engage ballistic missiles. The S-300 is a highly capable surface-to-air missile system that, as well as targeting aircraft, also has the capacity to engage ballistic missiles.
The delivery of such missiles raises fears of further tension with Israel as Mr Assad is also reported to have threatened to respond directly if Israel launches any further air attacks on Syria. The delivery of such missiles raises fears of further tension with Israel, as Mr Assad is also reported to have threatened to respond directly if Israel launches any further air attacks on Syria.
However, the Israeli Defence Minister, Moshe Yaalon, said on Tuesday he had information suggesting the missiles had not yet been delivered, but if they were Israel would "know how to act". Israeli Defence Minister, Moshe Yaalon, said on Tuesday he had information suggesting the missiles had not yet been delivered, but if they were Israel would "know how to act".
Israeli Energy Minister, Sylvan Shalom, told public radio that Israel did not want to "escalate" the situation with Syria but would not allow the transfer of strategic weapons to Hezbollah. On Thursday, Israeli Energy Minister Sylvan Shalom told public radio that Israel did not want to "escalate" the situation with Syria, but would not allow the transfer of strategic weapons to Hezbollah.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Beirut says the delivery of missiles could bring the region into extremely dangerous terrain.
If those missiles have in fact been supplied and the Israelis could figure out where they are and hit them, the regional superpower, Israel, would be hitting material provided by what used to be a global superpower and is still a very important international power, our correspondent says.
It is also feared that growing disagreement on the missile issue could endanger US-Russian efforts to convene a peace conference on Syria in Geneva in June.It is also feared that growing disagreement on the missile issue could endanger US-Russian efforts to convene a peace conference on Syria in Geneva in June.
The Syrian leader is quoted as telling Al Manar that Syria would take part in principle but doubts it will yield results.The Syrian leader is quoted as telling Al Manar that Syria would take part in principle but doubts it will yield results.
Casting a further shadow over the proposed Geneva conference, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, accused the Syrian opposition on Thursday of making unrealistic demands by calling for Mr Assad to step down.Casting a further shadow over the proposed Geneva conference, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, accused the Syrian opposition on Thursday of making unrealistic demands by calling for Mr Assad to step down.